Pablo Zabaleta – just as he did at Manchester City – has become a hero at the Hammers since arriving on a free transfer but the question of his retirement is never very far away.

It’s now well known that he needs 28 appearances – another seven – to trigger an automatic contract extension but he’s hinted at the possibility of calling it a day.

Manuel Pellegrini – like the rest of us would want him to carry on because the Argentinian defender has produced some tremendous performances this season and is a big dressing room leader.

He will be wanting to make an appearance before the fans who worshipped him during his time at City on Wednesday night and it’s well know the Manchester club would welcome him back in any role he chooses – ambassador, coach, whatever.

Hammers fans will be hoping that he will opt for another season with us sharing the right back duties with Ryan Fredericks.

Pellegrini believes it’s more likely to happen than not and talking to reporters he said: “I don’t see Pablo next season not continuing to play.

“His mentality is as a player, maybe in the future he can be a very good coach also but I don’t think that he wants to retire.

“I would prefer to have him as a player. After that we can see if he is a coach or not but now he is playing and inside the dressing room he has a very important duty.”